AMAX vs VXUS

AMAX vs VXUS

Which is better, AMAX or VXUS?

Preferred Stock against Large Cap Blend.

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: VXUSHigher Returns: VXUS

MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAMAXVXUS
Expense Ratio1.36%0.05%Best
AUM$72M$158.1B
Dividend Yield11.92%2.51%
Holdings238,747
YTD Return+4.78%+12.82%Best
1Y Return+4.74%+19.86%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+9.63%+19.33%Best
5Y Return (annualized)-+9.46%
Volatility (annualized)9.3%Best15.2%
Max Drawdown-16.3%Best-28.6%
$10,000 over 4.8 years$11,790$15,103Best
Fund FamilyAdaptive ETFsVanguard (US)
CategoryAllocation/BalancedEquity
StylePreferred StockLarge Cap Blend
InceptionOct 2, 2009Jan 26, 2011

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2021 to Sep 18, 2026 (4.8 years).

AMAX vs VXUS growth

Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.8 years both funds cover.

AMAX vs VXUS Performance

Adaptive Hedged Multi-Asset Income ETF (AMAX) is an ETF from Adaptive ETFs and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year AMAX returned +4.74% while VXUS returned +19.86%. Year to date, AMAX is up 4.78% versus a gain of 12.82% for VXUS.

Over three years, AMAX compounded at +9.63% per year against +19.33% for VXUS.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

VXUS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.2% compared with 9.3% for AMAX. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -16.3% for AMAX and -28.6% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

AMAX charges 1.36% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $136 vs $5 annually, a gap of $131 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AMAX currently yields 11.92% against 2.51% for VXUS.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 14 holdings in AMAX and 8,082 in VXUS, totalling 71.5% and 88.8% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.

0 positions in common, counted across the 14 positions we hold weights for in AMAX and 8,082 in VXUS, against full books of 23 and 8,747.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of AMAX and VXUS you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

AMAXVXUS

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, AMAX or VXUS?

AMAX has an expense ratio of 1.36% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $131 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, AMAX or VXUS?

Over the past year AMAX returned +4.74% vs +19.86% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, AMAX or VXUS?

VXUS has been the more volatile fund at 15.2% annualized versus 9.3% for AMAX. Worst drawdown: AMAX -16.3% vs VXUS -28.6%.

Should I hold both AMAX and VXUS?

AMAX and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which pays a higher dividend, AMAX or VXUS?

AMAX yields 11.92% while VXUS yields 2.51%, so AMAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VXUS better than AMAX?

VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.